Bridges Program

Steps to Career Decision Making

Decisions are based upon what you know about yourself and what you know about the world around you.As you expand your insights of both, you can make informed decisions.

Self Assessment

Get to know who you are and what that means in terms of fitting into the world of work in a satisfying way.

Explore interests, aptitudes, abilities and values through interest and aptitude surveys at www.access.bridges.com.What are you good at?What do you like to do?What is important to you?

Look at how you spend your free time, what classes you have enjoyed, what others compliment you on, what you were doing when your mom had to call you three times to dinner?

Career Exploration

Research your options.

Browse through the occupational reference books in the College and CareerCenter or at your local library.

Job Shadowing- visit any employer on-the-job.

Informational Interviews- interview an employer.

Internships – spend one semester trying on a career area of interest.

Attend Career Fairs or Guest Speaker Panels.

Secure a part-time job or volunteer job in your field of possible interest.

Evaluating Information Goal Setting

Even with the best information, every decision involves some risk.

Set a reasonable goal given the amount of time, effort and money you are willing to contribute.Think about the short and long term goals required to work toward that goal.Write an action plan, “I will do this by this time and adjust your goals as you re-evaluate.

Check out career information through the Bridges program (www.access.bridges.com; user name 0010090; password bulldogs)